Prior to their game against the Golden State Warriors last week, which was the final one before the All-Star break, the LA Clippers sent both Bones Hyland and P.J. Tucker home. Tucker had been publicly upset with his role for weeks, and while Hyland's frustration was much less public, he too has been out of the rotation, and joined Tucker on the trip back home from San Francisco.
Speaking with reporters in San Francisco, Clippers head coach Ty Lue said, "The trade didn't happen, they're gonna be here, so we're just giving them a little time off to get their minds right and come back in Oklahoma City and be ready to go."
The Clippers are now in Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on Thursday, and as Lue predicted, both Tucker and Hyland have rejoined the team:
Clippers star Paul George spoke on Hyland and Tucker following LA's win over Golden State, saying, "Those guys are still a part of us, regardless of where we're at and where they're at. They're still a part of us. That's the part of business. I thought they handled it like men. Grown men came together, spoke their piece, and we moved on. Everything is positive here."
Looking to put this situation behind them, Hyland and Tucker are back with the Clippers, and will look to contribute in whatever way possible.
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